Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure identify and correct for magnetic field distortions within a magnetic field for localization of a medical device within a patient. Such magnetic field distortions, often associated with the intrusion of a metallic object into the magnetic field, may cause an unacceptable level of localization error which aspects of the present disclosure correct for.

Abstract: A medical device is configured for diagnosis or treatment of a tissue within a body. The medical device comprises an elongate member and a position sensor. The elongate member is configured to be received within the body, and has a lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The position sensor is disposed within the lumen proximate the distal end of the deformable member. The position sensor comprises a coil wound to form a central passage and configured to generate a current flow when subject to a magnetic field, and a high-permeability antenna having at least a portion disposed outside the central passage to concentrate the magnetic field into the coil and increase the current flow.

Abstract: An apparatus for emitting a field comprising a core, a conductive winding with a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, where the conductive winding surrounds a portion of the core and is wound about a winding axis, a protrusion for aligning the apparatus where the protrusion is parallel with the winding axis, and a conductive connector extending from the conductive winding, wherein the conductive connector is electrically coupled with the conductive winding at the intermediate portion.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to apparatuses for generating a magnetic field for tracking of a target object. Such an apparatus may include a localized magnetic field transmitter that generates a magnetic field and exhibits minimal X-ray absorption when used in proximity to a fluoroscopic imaging system, for example.

Abstract: A medical device assembly comprises a medical device comprising a shaft having proximal and distal end portions. The device further comprises a sensor at the distal end portion of the shaft that comprises first and second leads extending therefrom to the proximal end portion of the shaft. The device further comprises an electromechanical connector having a plurality of connection points at a first end thereof. First and second of the connection points are electrically connected to the first and second sensor leads, respectively. The connector further comprises an error loop segment electrically coupled to third and fourth connection points. The error loops segment assists in forming a compensation loop that can be used to correct for magnetic noise.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure can include a catheter. The catheter can include an elongate shaft that extends along a longitudinal axis. The elongate shaft can include a shaft proximal end and a shaft distal end. A magnetically permeable shaft strip can be disposed along a particular shaft length of the elongate shaft. The magnetically permeable shaft strip can longitudinally extend along the elongate shaft.

Abstract: A system for navigating a medical device is provided. In one embodiment, a magnetic field generator assembly generates a magnetic field. Position sensors on the medical device, on an imaging system and on the body generate signals indicative of the positions within the magnetic field. The generator assembly and reference sensors are arranged such that a correlation exists between them and the positions of the body and of a radiation emitter and a radiation detector of the imaging system. An electronic control unit (ECU) determines, responsive to signals generated by the sensors, a position of the medical device, a position of one of the radiation emitter and detector and a distance between the emitter and detector. Using this information, the ECU can, for example, register images from the imaging system in a coordinate system and superimpose an image of the device on the image from the imaging system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for diagnosis or treatment of a vessel or organ. The apparatus includes a deformable body such as a catheter having a tissue ablation end effector and an irrigation channel in fluid communication therewith. At least two sensors are disposed within a distal extremity of the deformable body, the sensors being responsive to a wave in a specified range of frequency to detect deformations resulting from a contact force applied to the distal extremity. A microprocessor can be operatively coupled with the sensors to receive outputs therefrom, the microprocessor being configured to resolve a multi-dimensional force vector corresponding to the contact force. In one embodiment, the sensors are fiber Bragg grating sensors, and the wave is injected into the fiber Bragg grating strain sensors from a laser diode.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system for determining an error associated with an electrode disposed on a medical device. The system comprises a processor and a memory storing instructions on a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The instructions are executable by the processor to receive an electrode signal from the electrode disposed on the medical device. The instructions are further executable by the processor to receive a plurality of other electrode signals from a plurality of other electrodes disposed on the medical device. The instructions are further executable by the processor to determine that the electrode signal received from the electrode disposed on the medical device is an outlier in relation to the plurality of other electrode signals from the plurality of other electrodes disposed on the medical device, based on a comparison between the electrode signal and the plurality of other electrode signals.

Abstract: A sensor for a medical device including a plurality of sensor segments. Each of the plurality of sensor segments can include a layer of magnetically-permeable material and a layer of electrically-conductive material disposed on the layer of magnetically-permeable material. In an example, the layer of magnetically-permeable material can be arranged in a partially-annular shape. The sensor segments can include an electrical connection formation that extends transverse to the layers of magnetically-permeable material and electrically-conductive material. The electrical connection formation can be electrically coupled with the layer of electrically-conductive material. The plurality of sensor segments can be electrically coupled with each other through an electrical coupling of the respective layer of electrically-conductive material of each sensor segment with the electrical connection formation of another sensor segment.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying a moving region of interest located within a body includes a positioning system to determine a position and orientation (P&O) of a medical device as well as to track, using an internal position reference sensor, the motion of the region of interest over time. A compensation function block generates a motion compensation function based on the motion of the region of interest, which is configured to compensate for the motion of the region of interest between a first time, for example a time at which an image was acquired and a second time, for example a time at which a P&O of the device was measured. The measured P&O is corrected using the compensation function. A representation of the medical device is superimposed on the image in accordance with the corrected P&O.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to systems, apparatuses, and methods for detecting and correcting for magnetic field distortions within a magnetic field used for medical magnetic localization systems.

Abstract: A method for registering a three dimensional (3D) coordinates system with a Medical Positioning System (MPS) coordinate system and with a two dimensional (2D) coordinate system, includes acquiring at least one 2D image of a volume of interest, the volume of interest including at least one tubular organ within the body of a patient. The 2D image is associated with the 2D coordinate system, and a plurality of MPS points is acquired, within the at least one tubular organ. The MPS points are associated with the MPS coordinate system, the MPS coordinate system being registered with the 2D coordinate system. A 3D image model is extracted of the at least one tubular organ form a pre-acquired 3D image of the volume of interest.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a magnetic field for tracking of an object (12) can include a localized magnetic field generator (76) that is configured to generate a magnetic field (621) and to control the magnetic field (621) in an area of interest (38) and configured to control the magnetic field (621) in a separate area. The separate area can be displaced from the area of interest (38) and can include a magnetic field-disrupting component (86). The object (12) can be located in the area of interest (38).

Abstract: An irrigated finned ablation head that provides enhanced cooling. The irrigated finned ablation head comprises a plurality of radial fins that are distributed about a central axis and that extend axially from a common base. The plurality of fins are arranged to define a central passageway along the central axis, as well as a plurality of slots therebetween, the slots extending in an axial direction along the irrigated finned ablation head. In one embodiment, the central passageway extends through the irrigated finned ablation head, defining an opening at the distal extremity, with the slots extending from the base to the opening. In another embodiment, the irrigated finned ablation head includes a cap portion at a distal portion that is common to all the radial fins, so that the slots are terminated at the distal portion of the irrigated finned ablation head. The radial flow distribution along the central axis can be tailored by the configuration of the central passageway.

Abstract: A steering handle for a catheter. The steering handle includes a thumb knob arrangement for driving a cam assembly that in turn actuates a pull wire or pull wires. In some embodiments, the cam assembly includes a set of dual pins that actuate the pull wire in a quasi-linear relationship between cam rotation and axial displacement of the wire. In certain embodiments, the second set of dual pins imparts a reverse action on a second pull wire, also in quasi-linear fashion. That is, when one wire is released by the cam assembly, the other wire is taken in by the cam assembly. In various embodiments, the quasi-linear action can cause release of more pull wire than is taken in, thereby helping prevent the released pull wire to act as an unwanted counter force to the actuated pull wire.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a sensor for a medical de vice may include the application of semiconductor fabrication techniques to the manufacture of a sensor directly in a structure of the medical device or in a substrate that can be integrated into a medical device structure. The methods may be applied to manufacture position sensors, strain gauges, other transducers, and the like, and to integrate the sensors into a variety of medical device types including, but not limited to, elongate medical devices.

Abstract: A fiber optic force sensing assembly for detecting forces imparted at a distal end of a catheter assembly. The structural member may include segments adjacent each other in a serial arrangement, with gaps located between adjacent segments that are bridged by flexures. Fiber optics are coupled to the structural member. In one embodiment, each fiber optic has a distal end disposed adjacent one of the gaps and oriented for emission of light onto and for collection of light reflected from a segment adjacent the gap. The optical fibers cooperate with the deformable structure to provide a change in the intensity of the reflected light, or alternatively to provide a variable gap interferometer for sensing deformation of the structural member. In another embodiment, the gaps are bridged by fiber Bragg gratings that reflect light back through the fiber optic at central wavelengths that vary with the strain imposed on the grating.

Abstract: A sensor may include a core and a coil. The core may include a rectangular substrate, a layer of magnetically-permeable material disposed on the substrate, and an adhesive rigidly coupling two ends of the substrate so as to form a tube with the rectangular substrate. The coil may be wound on the tube. The core may further include a layer of radiopaque material. The core may further include a flex pad for electrically coupling the coil with an external system.

Abstract: An ablation catheter system configured with a compact force sensor at a distal end for detection of contact forces exerted on an end effector. The force sensor includes fiber optics operatively coupled with reflecting members on a structural member. In one embodiment, the optical fibers and reflecting members cooperate with the deformable structure to provide a variable gap interferometer for sensing deformation of the structural member due to contact force. In another embodiment, a change in the intensity of the reflected light is detected to measure the deformation. The measured deformations are then used to compute a contact force vector. In some embodiments, the force sensor is configured to passively compensate for temperature changes that otherwise lead to erroneous force indications. In other embodiments, the system actively compensates for errant force indications caused by temperature changes by measuring certain local temperatures of the structural member.